Archive for June 12th, 2012

The NBA must be overjoyed. It’s finally gotten to the end of a season that was close to not existing. It’s now time to settle which team was able to slog its way through a ridiculous 66-game schedule and a terrible post-season that had some of the worst refereeing since Tim Donaghy graced the hardwood.

There are some legitimate reasons that the NBA and its fans should be excited for this final. We’ll get to watch not just two of the legit best teams in the league, but the two best players in the league will be facing off.

Yes, either LeBron James or Kevin Durant will be taking home their first titles. For James, it would justify his move to Miami – after selling out his hometown of Cleveland with “The Decision.” For Durant, it would be a coronation that he’s not just a great scorer, but a great leader capable of leading his team to win it all.

But since one can only win, here’s hoping that human garbage LeBron does what he has always done in crunch time: Fail.

It is all over. The Kings of Los Angeles were finally able to land that knockout blow and silence the suddenly pesky Devils. The Stanley Cup will reside in Southern California for the second time in five years – when Anaheim took home the crown.

After keeping the Kings from the Cup for two games after going down three, Game 6 was over fairly early for the Devils. All it took was one nasty looking boarding penalty – a five-minute major – that really sealed the deal in just the first period.

Really, how often do you see a team score three goals in one power play? I wouldn’t be surprised if this was one of the first times that it ever happened – playoffs or regular season.

Many will debate if Steve Bernier’s hit on Rob Scuderi deserved the five-minute variety of the penalty, but you’ll see no argument here. Scuderi no longer had the puck and had his back to Bernier. This was a recipe for disaster and the refs got it right.

Not lost on many was the fact that this final give us another first – in any pro sport. It was the first time that an eighth-seeded team won a championship. This wasn’t your average eighth seed though. This was a team that struggled early and made massive changes – firing its coach, trading for Jeff Carter – and then squeaked in while still underachieving.

But that’s why Jonathan Quick won the Conn Smythe. The Kings’ goalie was undoubtedly the best player in the entire playoffs. That’s exactly how ice hockey’s post-season goes: Get in, start blocking shots, start getting a little more chippy with your checks, hope your goalie gets hot and ride that wave as far as you can. It’s really that simple. Heck, that’s how the four conference finalists all made it to that stage.

But, lost in this game may be the loss of a legend. Let’s just hope that this wasn’t the last that we’ll from the legendary Brodeur. Going out in the Stanley Cup final after a 6-1 loss is hardly what one of the greatest ever ’keepers deserves.